Spring controlled spark device for



v. G. SMITH 2,064,572

SPRING CONTROLLED SPARK DEVICE FOR ENGINES Filed June 6, 1936 Patented Dec. 15, 1936 ETE gj* PATET @FFI SPRING CONTROLLED SPARK DEVICE FOR ENGNES 8 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a spring controlled spark device for engines.

The invention has for an object the construction of a spark device which is adapted to be mounted upon the combustion chamber of an engine and which automatically operates when the compression within the combustion chamber is a pre-determined amount.

Specifically, the invention proposes arranging a high tension terminal on the stem of a piston head which is spring loaded and associated with an arrangement to cause the spark when the piston reaches a pre-determined position.

Stili further the invention proposes an adjustment for limiting the motion of the piston so that the distance between certain breaker points controlling the spark may be adjusted.

Another one of the objects of the invention resides in a mechanism for adjusting the spring tension so that the spark may be produced at desired retarded or advanced positions relative to the power piston position within the combustion chamber. Of course, this is controlled merely by the spring pressure.

Another one of the objects of this invention is the provision of a diaphragm associated with the piston head to insure against the passage of gas. from the interior of the combustion chamber.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawing, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawing forming a material part of this disclosuret- Fig. 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of an engine equipped with several spring controlled spark devices according to this invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig, l.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged detailed view of certain parts shown in Fig. l.

Fig. 4 is an end elevational view of Fig. 3 looking from the right hand side.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a certain disc used in the device.

The spring controlled spark device, according to this invention, is adapted to be mounted upon the end wall lil of the combustion chamber I of an internal combustion engine. A piston tI is shown within the combustion chamber I0 in (Cl. 12S- 148) its high compression position, and in which position the spark is desired. For this reason Fig. 2 shows the spark device in the operative position with the spark shooting.

The spark device includes a bushing I2 which is mounted through the inner wall IB of the combustion chamber I0 and is formed with an internal seat Ia. An annular member I3 is adjustably mounted on the bushing I2 and has an opposed internal seat ISa. A hollow body I4 is mounted on an annular member i3. A piston head le' is slidable between the seats I2@L and Ita and engages the side walls of the bushing i2. An insulation stem I projects from the piston head Ill and extends through the hollow body i4. The high tension terminal i5 is mounted on the stem I5 and extends through the head Iii and cooperates with grounded terminals I'I mounted on the head I4. A disc Id is slidably mounted upon the stem I5.

A resilient means I9 acts between the disc I8 and indirectly against the piston head I4 for urging the piston inwards. A means is provided for holding the disc I8 in various adjusted positions to tension the resilient means. A breaker v point 20 is mounted upon the terminal I6 and in a lowered position o-f the piston cooperates with a grounded breaker point 2l upon the body I.

A diaphragm 22 is slightly spaced from the outer end of the piston I4 and is clamped at its edges between the body I4 and the annular member I3. At its center this diaphragm is attached to the stemfIE by engaging between collars 23 and 24 mounted on the stem I5.

The bushing I2 is formed with external threads which threadedly engage internal threads upon the annular member I3. It is thus possible to screw these parts together or apart to desired distancesk and so control the amplitude of motion of the piston head I Thus the gap between the breaker points 2Q and 2l may be controlled. The annular member I3 is formed with external threads upon which internal threads from the lower portion of the hollow body I4 threadedly engage. It is between these portions that the edges of the diaphragm 22 are clamped. The center portion of this` diaphragm is capable of moving suiciently so as not to interfere with the free motion of the piston Ill'.

The hollow body lli is provided with a pair ofy diametrically opposite longitudinal slots 25 into which pins 26 from opposite sides of the disc I8 engage. These pins engage against a pair of arms 2l which are pivotally mounted at one Ql lll, ends on a lug 2% on one side of the body I 4. These arms 21 extend upwards and at the top ends are formed with slots 29. Bushings 3i) are disposed between the upper ends of the arms 2'| and have projecting pegs 3| engaging into the slots 29. These bushings 30 threadedly engage on threaded adjustment rods, 3|, 32, 33, etc., as the case may be, one bushing being upon each of the rods. Certain of these rods are hollow so that the rods may pass through each other.

The rods 3|, 32, and 33 are arranged coaxially on each other and are rotatively supported in standards 34 and 35 mounted upon the body I0a of a combustion engine. The rod 3| is provided with a head 3| by which it may be manually adjusted. The rod 32 is provided with a head 32' and the rod 33 with a head 33. These various heads may be turned to cause one or the other of the bushings 30 to move along the rods. A change in the position of the bushings will add or subtract pressure from the springs I9. Thus, if the pins 26 against which the rods 21 engage, are forced downwards, the disc I8 will be correspondingly moved and the spring I9 will be compressed, and vice versa, this pressure may be relieved from the spring.

Since it is the springs I9 which control the timing of the breaker points 20 and 2| it is possible to advance or retard the spark by tension changes on the springs. The pressure within each combustion cylinder I l] is assumed to be constant for each position of the power piston, and consequently a change in the tension of the spring controls the timing of the breaker points 2|! and 2|. A live lead 38 is connected with the high tension terminal I6.

The operation of the device is as follows: When the piston II reaches the end of its compression stroke, the pressure of the gas within the combustion chamber will be suflicient to raise the piston I4, and consequently the stem I will move upwards and the circuit will be broken between the contacts 20 and 2|. Heretofore, the high tension lead 38 was grounded by the contact 2|, but now the current is forced through the terminal I6, and sparks will jump across the terminals I'I. The gas will be ignited in the combustion chamber and power will be delivered to the power piston I5.

The distance to which the breaker points 20 and 2| open may be controlled by adjusting the bushing I2 relative to the annular member I3. The rods 3|, 32, 33 may be individually adjusted to adjust the pressures of the springs I9 which in turn control the timing of the breaker points 20 and 2|.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent istl. In combination with the chamber of a combustion engine, a bushing mounted through the inner end wall of said combustion chamber and having an internal seat, an annular member adjustably mounted on said bushing and having an opposed internal seat, a hollow body mounted on said annular member, a piston head slidably mounted between said seats, an insulation stem projecting from said head and extending through said body, a high tension terminal mounted through said stem and coacting with a grounded terminal on said head, a disc slidable on said stem, resilient means acting between said disc and said head, means for holding said disc in fixed adjusted positions to tension said resilient means, and a contact member mounted on said terminal and in the lower position of said piston head engaging a grounded contact.

2. In combination with the chamber of a combustion engine, a bushing mounted through the inner end wall of said combustion chamber and having an internal seat, an annular member adjustably mounted on said bushing and having an opposed internal seat, a hollow body mounted on said annular member, a piston head slidably mounted between said seats, an insulation stern projecting from said head and eX- tending through said body, a high tension terminal mounted through said stem and coacting with a grounded terminal on said head, a disc slidable on said stem, resilient means acting between said disc and said head, means for holding said disc in xed adjusted positions to tension said resilient means, and a contact member mounted on said terminal and in the lower position of said piston head engaging a grounded contact, and a diaphragm spaced from the end of said piston head and clamped at its edges between said body and annular member and ixed at its center on said stem.

3. In combination with the chamber of a combustion engine, a bushing mounted through the inner end wall of said combustion chamber and having an internal seat, an annular member adjustably mounted on said bushing and having an opposed internal seat, a hollow body mounted on said annular member, a piston head slidably mounted between said seats, an insulation stem projecting from said head and extending through said body, a high tension terminal mounted through said stem and coacting with a grounded terminal on said head, a disc slidable on said stem, resilient means acting between said disc and said head, means for holding said disc in iixed adjusted positions to tension said resilient means, and a contact member mounted on said terminal and in the lower position of said piston head engaging a grounded contact, said annular member threadedly engaging said bushing whereby these parts are adjustably connected.

4. In combination with the chamber of a combustion engine, a bushing mounted through the inner end wall of said combustion chamber and having an internal seat, an annular member adjustably mounted on said bushing and having an opposed internal seat, a hollow body mounted on said annular member, a piston head slidably mounted between said seats, an insulation stem projecting from said head and extending through said body, a high tension terminal mounted through said stem and co'acting with a grounded terminal on said head, a disc slidable on said stem, resilient means acting between said disc and said head, means for holding said disc in Xed adjusted positions to tension said resilient means, and a contact member mounted on said terminal and in the lower position of said piston head engaging a grounded contact, said piston head having its sides engaging the walls of said bushing.

5. In combination with the chamber of a combustion engine, a bushing mounted through the inner end wall of said combustion chamber and having an internal seat, an annular member adjustably mounted on said bushing and having an opposed internal seat, a hollow body mounted on said annular member, a piston head slidably mounted between said seats, an insulation stem projecting from said head and extending through said body, a high tension terminal mounted through said stem and coacting with a grounded terminal on said head, a disc slidable on said stem, resilient means acting between said disc and said head, means for holding said disc in iiXed adjusted positions to tension said resilient means, and a contact member mounted on said terminal and in the lower position of said piston head engaging a grounded contact, said disc having pins projecting through slots in said hollow body, arms engaging said pins, and means for holding said arms in various positions to control the tension of said resilient means.

6. In combination with the chamber of a combusticn engine, a bushing mounted through the inner end wall of said combustion chamber and having an internal seat, an annular member adjustably mounted on said bushing and having an opposed internal seat, a hollow body mounted on said annular member, a piston head slidably mounted between said seats, an insulation stem projecting from said head and extending through said body, a high tension terminal mounted through said stem and coacting with a grounded terminal on said head, a disc slidable on said stem, resilient means acting between said disc and said head, means for holding said disc in xed adjusted positions to tension said resilient means, and a Contact member mounted on said terminal and in the lower position of said piston head engaging a grounded contact, said disc having pins projecting through slots in said hollow body, arms engaging said pins, and means for holding said arms in various positions to control the tension of said resilient means, including a collar associated with the arms and threadedly engaging an adjustment rod.

'7. In combination with the chamber of a combustion engine, a bushing mounted through the inner end Wall of said combustion chamber and having an internal seat, an annular member adjustably mounted on said bushing and having an opposed internal seat, a hollow body mounted on said annular member, a piston head slidably mounted between said seats, an insulation stem projecting from said head and extending through said body, a high tension terminal mounted through said stem and coacting with a grounded terminal on said head, a disc slidable on said stern, resilient means acting between said disc and said head, means for holding said disc in Xed adjusted positions to tension said resilient means, and a contact member mounted on said terminal and in the lower position of said piston head engaging a grounded contact, said resilient means comprising a spring acting against said disc and coaxially mounted on said stem.

8. In combination with the chamber of a combustion engine, a bushing mounted through the inner end wall of said combustion chamber and having an internal seat, an annular member adjustably mounted on said bushing and having an opposed internal seat, a hollow body mounted on said annular member, a piston head sldably mounted between said seats, an insulation stem projecting from said head and extending through said body, a high tension terminal mounted through said stem and coacting with a grounded terminal on said head, a disc slidable on said stem, resilient means acting between said disc and said head, means for holding said disc in fixed adjusted positions to tension said resilient means, and a contact member mounted on said terminal and in the lower position of said piston head engaging a grounded contact, said disc having pins projecting through slots in said hollow body, arms engaging said pins, and means for holding said arms in various positions to control the tension of said resilient means, including a collar associated with the arms and threadedly engaging an adjustment rod, said rod being rotatively supported.

VERNON G. SMITH. 

